The Rugged Beauty of the Faroe Islands

Sitting smack-dab in the center of the North Atlantic Gulf Stream, the Faroe Islands are a bundle of green-archipelago paradise peeking from the blue ocean like cats’ eyes between Iceland and Scotland. You might think this to be an odd place to find a slice of Eden — high-latitude ocean, cold and rainy, icy and desolate (like Iceland and Scotland themselves!) — but the warm waters of the Gulf Stream keep the temperatures … well, temperate. Summertime averages are 51 degrees (11 Celsius), with bright sunshine and fresh sea air that’ll clean your city-soot lungs in no time.

Cool air during the summer is what we all long for, and what the Faroese call their “destination draw” for outdoor activities and “becoming one with nature.” Hiking is king here, and of the 18 islands in the archipelago, 11 boast trails with seaside, cliffside, and mountaintop views. Ferries and guided groups take you on half- and full-day excursions to visit waterfalls, ancient fishing villages, sailing tours, bird watching, and cave exploration.

Since you’re already in the middle of an ocean, take the time to do some deep-sea fishing on one of the dozens of private launches available for half- and full-day fishing trips. Or for a leisurely ocean trip, book spots on some of the famous two-mast schooners that let you experience sea-travel history as only an island people like the Faroese can show you. And there is always scuba diving amid candy-colored fish fluttering through the barrier reefs.

After a day walking-diving-sailing through such pristine nature, you’ll want to taste Faroese cuisine, a truly Nordic experience loaded with fish, seafood, and fresh produce that’ll leave your ears tingling.

Flights to the Faroe Islands are plentiful, with major European hubs servicing the capital city, Tóshavn. City hotels, pensions, B&Bs, and private flats abound on the islands.

mark Travel News faroe, flights, islands

Playing poker makes you wonder where you’ve landed: the throne of some alien world or the sweaty tiles of your smoky basement. This is the high and the low of gambling. The draw of poker, like drawing three cards in hope of catching a book-end straight, touches the pain-pleasure areas of our being. Add liquor, however, and you immediately become a loser.

Drinking and poker don’t mix. This ain’t a comparison to drinking & driving or (Holy Lord!) drinking & women. When you drink and play poker, be it at online poker sites or in a casino, your chances of winning fall exponentially. A slowed reaction time is the tip of the iceberg.

Where drinking really fails you is in the bravery (stupidity?) department. Lynyrd Skynyrd sang about taking “a shot of courage” before da da da da daaaa. Well, that’s great, but taking the chance on an inside straight is okay once in a while, but ten times in a row? That’s what liquor does to you. Good advice will always go something like this: save the drink for a nightcap after you collect your winnings from the pay window.

mark Travel Diversions poker sites